Our bottom line is community!

We have some exciting news! As some of you are aware we have a new location for our 2018 Season – The Green Space across from the River Mills Lofts on Thompson Street. We are located by the corner of Stoner Road and Thompson Street.

It’s a lovely space, with sounds from the river and a hammock and picnic tables! Come stop by and say Hey!

We have some exciting news to share with everyone! We have moved to Highland Brewing Company (located on the other end of Fairview Road). They have offered us their outdoor event and music venue, the Meadow. Our hours will still be the same Thursdays 3:30-6:30pm. The new address is 12 Old Charlotte Hwy. Asheville, NC 28803.

We are excited about the new location because we feel that it does offer a friendlier atmosphere and a safer space for children to play. In many ways it offers solutions to the vendor and customer feedback we received last season.

We have an Early Bird Member Vendor Special running until March, 31, 2017 – $150, after that date it is $175. Our season will run from May, 4 through September, 28, 2017. Every Thursday from 3:30-6:30pm.

This winter we have been working diligently on finding a new location for the Market. We are sad to leave the Oakley United Methodist Church . Based on customer and vendor feedback we are moving to the parking lot of the Screendoor at 115 Fairview Road, Asheville, NC 28803.

Our 2016 Vendor Application is now available. If you or know of anyone who wants to join us as vendor at the Oakley Farmers Market please pass this information along to them.

The market will be open from May 5, 2016 until September 29, 2016 on Thursdays from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. Stay tuned for more details on coming market events and news about this season’s vendors.

Good Morning! We – everyone at the OFM – wanted to let our dedicated followers know the 2015 Farmers Market Season Dates! We will open every Thursday from 3:30 – 6:30 pm starting May 7th through September 24th 2015. If you would like to become a Vendor for the 2015 Season please click here.

A few reminders! We are a kid friendly Farmers Market! (refer to picture!) We have all kinds of wonderful produce available!

We also have a food truck that comes! So come on and stop by on May 7th starting at 3:30pm!

NEW PLAYGROUND COMING TO THE MARKET!

-Please come out to help us clear the land and install the new equipment-

contact us at oakleyfarmersmarket@gmail.com to find out dates

Our Raffle to raise funds for the market, including a new Children’s Playground, was aBIG success!

Please consider writing your NC state legislators and asking them to reverse new requirements which make farmers markets monitor the sales tax status of their vendors. This requirement is burdensome in that it over-extends are already busy volunteers and detracts from other market activities.

I certainly understand the need to ensure that the State collects the money that its due, but, this regulation represents one more hoop that detracts farmers markets from their core missions. The regulatory burden on farmers markets is already onerous in that individuals who are volunteering to bring a service to their community which feeds people, provides farmers with an accessible marketplace, and encourages entrepreneurship (within a venue that is unmatched in its value for startup businesses) get caught up in trying to understand a confusing myriad of rules at all levels of government.

I feel that it’s irresponsible to make the farmers market complicit in aiding to collect sales tax. Farmers markets simply provide a temporary rental space for vendors to engage in the sales of their wares (similar to say a mall or shopping center). The relationship is that of a tenant and a landlord and it’s an overstep to imply that a landlord has any responsibility in ensuring that the tenant is paying their basic civic debts.

Please consider revising this legislation and allowing farmers market volunteers to return to our actual mission rather than overwhelming community oriented folks who may not be well versed in accounting and tax issues with this unnecessary bureaucratic process.